Lee's Walker new UNA head coach

Lee's Walker new UNA head coach

January 6th, 2013by Staff Reports in Sportlocal

Lee University assistant women's soccer coach Chris Walker, a former all-conference Lee men's player, has been hired to head the University of North Alabama women's program in the Gulf South Conference. That's the NCAA Division II league Lee will be joining after this school year. "Chris is a person of outstanding character and is an outstanding coach," UNA athletic director Mark Linder said in the official announcement rrelease. "He has recruited internationally and domestically in expended regions from our current footprint, and we feel he can lead our program to continued success." Walker succeeds Graham Winkworth, who was 111-88-8 with region-tournament appearances the last four years before accepting the South Alabama head-coaching job. Walker helped Matt Yelton in the last two of the Lady Flames' four consecutive NAIA national championships and the 2012 run to the semifinals. "As much as I hate to lose Chris, I am very happy that he has gotten the opportunity to move into a head-coaching position," Yelton said in a Lee release. "Chris was an outstanding part of our program over the last three years and was an amazing asset to have in our program. However, as good a coach and assistant as Chris was, he was an even better friend to everyone he worked with, and I wish him the best." Walker is married to the former Tiffany Cox, who played for Lee. "I want to thank Matt Yelton for giving me the opportunity to work with him," he said. "I was provided with many opportunities that not every assistant coach gets, and I am grateful for all of the experience that I have gained. Working with Coach Yelton and all the girls on the team has been fantastic. ... I would also like to thank Athletic Director Larry Carpenter and the entire support staff at Lee."

Golf

• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior golfer Steven Fox and USA teammate Chris Williams from the University of Washington moved up from seventh to fifth out of 11 nations in the third round of the Copa de las Americas tournament Saturday on the Blue Monster Course at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa Miami, thanks mainly to Williams' 2-under-par 70. Fox shot a 74 for the second day in a row after an opening 75 in the 72-hole event. Erynne Lee's 71 helped the USA take the women's lead over Canada, 449 to 451, and the USA to move into a tie for second with Mexico at 888, five behind Canada, in the overall standings of the competition for North America, South America, Central America and Caribbean countries. The event ends today.

Basketball

• The Harlem Globetrotters will be at McKenzie Arena on Jan. 18 with their "You Write the Rules" Tour, and fans are encouraged to vote online among the following special-rules choices: two balls played at the same time, double points for every basket, a 4-point shot 35 feet from the basket, a penalty box "timeout" for any player fouling at any time or 6-on-5 with five Globetrotters against six opponents at a time. Vote at www.harlemglobetrotters.com/rule.

• UTC men's basketball coach John Shulman will be the guest speaker at the Chattanooga Quarterback Club's noon luncheon meeting Monday at Finley Stadium, and the public is invited. Attendance costs $10 with a meal, $4 without.

• Although Cleveland High School graduate Ish Sanders scored 18 points and Marion County's Cody Henegar added 13, the Carson-Newman men's basketball team lost 70-66 Saturday at Queens College of Charlotte, which had lost 90-55 to the Eagles less than three weeks earlier. Henegar hit a 3-point shot to tie the score at 65 with two minutes left to play.

Baseball

• The 2013 Atlanta Braves Country Caravan does not include a visit to Chattanooga on the Jan. 22-Feb. 2 schedule, but there will be stops in Rome and Dalton on Jan. 28. More details will be provided later, according to a Braves release.

• The Chattanooga State baseball team will host a fundraising pancake breakfast on Jan. 19 at the Applebee's restaurant on Brainerd Road, from 8 to 10 a.m. Tickets will be sold for $5 by Chattanooga State coaches and players ahead of time and at the door, and Tigers attire and baseball cards will be available at the event. For more information call 697-2418.